Eastridge guitarist Paul Daniels is determined to follow his dreams despite all the odds stacked against him.
Paul, 22, will be hosting his third concert this year to raise funds so he can continue his studies in music. His story goes back to when he was just two years old and his father Joseph, 46, bought him his first guitar.
Joseph said Paul had always been passionate about his music.
“Paul taught himself to play music at a young age, using the internet to learn, which motivated us to send him to study,” said Joseph.
“He would not leave something unless he perfected the notes.”
After high school Paul thought that he would study accounting but the call of a career in music was just too loud to ignore.
“My parents took me to all the open days at universities for accounting. I had crazy faith and applied late to the University of Stellenbosch to study music in 2014 and had to go for an audition in 2013,” he said.
He was working with his father, when he got the email to say he had been accepted to study music.
However, a setback in his second year led to him being unable to complete the course.
His father lost his job November 3 2015, the day before Paul’s birthday on November 4 and Paul could not continue his studies in 2016.
“I was so heartbroken when my dad lost his job as I was the first generation of my family to go and study. Knowing that my aim to finish studying had come to an end, I then decided to focus more on building my career as a guitarist.”
His mother, Francis, 46, has also been by his side supporting him.
“I always told him to live his dream. I support what he does, and I am very proud of him.”
In 2016, Paul released his first single We Are One. He also started playing for the Winston Siljeur Project group, played at the Jazzathon, the Expresso studios, the Kuier magazine event with the Suidooster team and other events in Cape Town.
But Paul still longs for academic success.
“I would like to finish my PhD in music and become a professor at Stellenbosch. My main goal is to create a studio in Mitchell’s Plain, one of the biggest producing studios. It should be the most effective in helping people as most of the studios in Cape Town are so expensive that people cannot afford it, not allowing people to put their music out there because of the funds and resources needed,” he said.
His sister, Jizelle Daniels, 20, said: “I take note of what he taught me in music with the experience he has.
“He would come to my room to play and we would sing together. When we share a stage together, it is a very special moment for me and I’ll treasure it forever.”
The concert will raise funds for Paul to continue his third year in music.
“My third concert is called #GuitarRiff. This means that I play the guitar and the many artists at my concert will do their own unique riffs with their instruments which inspired the name,” he said.
His younger sister, Jade Daniels, 18, said: “Paul enjoys playing his guitar. It is evident when he performs. Paul following his dreams inspires me to follow mine and go for mine.”
Paul’s concert will feature gospel, jazz, neo-soul gospel, house gospel and Afro-jazz, with a few covers and most songs played that evening will be self-composed by Paul and the guest artists including Chadleigh Gouwar, Juandre Jacobs and Sammy Weber.
Paul encourages everyone to follow their passion in life.
“Never let your circumstances define who you are, stand up and walk, work your dream,” he said.
Paul will be having his third concert on Saturday November 3 at Shekinah Full Gospel Church at 7pm.
Tickets will be R70 pre-sold, R90 at the door. For more information contact Paul at 074 107 6571.